Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister and current ambassador to the United States, has deleted tweets critical of President-elect Donald Trump following his victory in the 2020 presidential election. Rudd had previously described Trump as “the most destructive president in history.” He served as Australia’s 26th prime minister from 2007 to 2010 as head of the Labor Party and was re-elected in 2013 after a brief stint as Australia’s foreign minister. The comments were made when Rudd served as Chair of the Asia Society Policy Institute, which focuses on using second track diplomacy to assist governments and businesses in resolving policy challenges in Asia.
Following his election victory, Rudd removed the critical tweets from his personal website and social media channels out of respect for the office of the President of the United States. His office released a statement indicating that the removal of the comments was to prevent them from being misconstrued as reflecting his position as Ambassador and, by extension, the views of the Australian Government. Ambassador Rudd expressed his commitment to working with President Trump and his team to strengthen the US-Australia alliance.
Ambassador Rudd has since shared posts congratulating President-elect Trump on social media, including one where he claimed to have called him personally to congratulate him on his election victory. In a post from November 6, Rudd mentioned his conversation with President Trump about the importance of the Alliance and the strength of the Australia-US relationship in security, AUKUS, trade, and investment. The AUKUS agreement is a trilateral alliance between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom established in 2021 to promote security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The office of Ambassador Rudd did not provide any further comments on the matter in response to inquiries from Fox News Digital. Rudd’s actions showcase a shift in tone towards President Trump after his victory, highlighting his commitment to working with the new administration to continue strengthening the US-Australia alliance. As a former Prime Minister and current ambassador, Rudd plays a crucial role in promoting diplomatic relations between the two countries and ensuring collaborations in areas such as security and trade.
Overall, Rudd’s decision to remove critical tweets about President-elect Trump in light of the election results reflects his diplomatic approach as an ambassador and his willingness to foster positive relationships with leaders of foreign countries. By congratulating President Trump and expressing a commitment to working together, Rudd demonstrates his dedication to enhancing the ties between the United States and Australia for the benefit of both nations. The removal of critical comments underscores Rudd’s understanding of the importance of maintaining professionalism in his role as an ambassador and representing the interests of his country in a diplomatic manner.
